7 NICKNAMES FOR JAMAICA

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Jamaica, the third largest island in the Caribbean, is known by many names. Here are seven nicknames for the island of Jamaica.

👉1. JAMROCK: 

“Welcome to Jamrock, camp weh di thugs dem camp at.” Yes, that song by Damion Marley is probably where most of the world heard about 'JamRock' for the first time. And it obviously caused some confusion for whoever Googled, "Is JamRock a real place?" Yes it is! 

It's one of Jamaica's many nicknames. It's almost a portmanteau. It’s an abbreviation of ‘Jamaica’ combined with ‘rock’, which is another nickname for the island, to form JamRock. 

👉2. DI ROCK: 

No not Dwayne the Rock Johnson, but the original rock, the third largest island in the Caribbean... Jamaica! 

I like to think ‘rock’ symbolizes the strength of the people, akin to the phrase 'likkle but tallawah'. Therefore, even though we are a small island nation, “Unuh know bout wi”. 

 

👉3. JAHMEKYA: 

The ‘Jah’ in Jahmekya, another name for Jamaica, is in reference to Jehovah God. So Jahmekya roughly translates to 'God made here', 'Go made Jamaica', ''Jahmekya. Get it? 

Also, Ziggy Marley and The Melody Makers released an album called Jahmekya in 1991. As a matter of fact, if you were to Google Jahmekya right now that's all you would see on the first 2 pages.

 

👉4. JA: 

Some of us just keep it short and sweet and just call our island home JA. This one is a bit obvious even to non-Jamaicans; it's the first two letters of Jamaica. 

There are so many businesses that use it in their names and a quick Google search will uncover a few.

👉5. JAMDUNG: 

Jamdung or Jamdown may very well refer to the fact that there is always a party in Jamaica man.  

 

👉6. YAAD: 

To many Jamaicans living abroad Jamaica is still their home and that is the sentiment expressed in this nickname for Jamaica; ‘yaad’. It's patois for yard and refers to one's home. Following that trend, a Jamaican can sometimes be referred to as a ‘yaadie’.

 

👉7. ISLAND PARADISE: 

They say 7 is a number of completeness and perfection. Therefore, it's only right for number 7 to be Island Paradise, because obviously! Have you been here?

Which of these nicknames for Jamaica are you familiar with? Please share below.